The Grand Escape
Destinations · Head-to-head

Aruba vs Puerto Vallarta

Aruba and Puerto Vallarta, side by side: live travel advisories, our resort catalog's real guest data, and each destination's honest weather picture — everything you need to break the tie.

Aruba guide · Puerto Vallarta guide · How we score

By the numbers

ArubaPuerto Vallarta
U.S. travel advisoryLevel 1: Exercise Normal PrecautionsLevel 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Resorts in our catalog103
Average guest rating★ 4.4★ 4.5
Nightly ratesUnder $300–$500/night$500–$800/night
Adults-only resorts2 of 100 of 3
Hurricane exposureOutside the hurricane beltLow hurricane risk
Rainy seasonOctober–December, and 'rainy' is generous — this is one of the driest islands in the CaribbeanJune–October — dramatic afternoon storms, lush green hills
Sweet spotYear-round; January–March is peak season and priced like itNovember–May; whales in the bay December–March

Advisory levels sync from travel.state.gov; catalog figures reflect the resorts we've researched, not every hotel in the country.

Weather, month by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Aruba — high °F858586878889899090898785
Puerto Vallarta — high °F828282848790929290898683
Aruba — rain (in)1.50.80.40.50.60.71.31.01.83.03.73.2
Puerto Vallarta — rain (in)0.40.20.10.10.57.011.010.513.54.00.80.5

Approximate climate normals for Palm Beach / Eagle Beach and Banderas Bay — planning guidance, not a forecast.

Where you'd actually stay

Best of Aruba

  1. 1.Barceló Aruba - All Inclusive — · ★ 4.5
  2. 2.Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort — · ★ 4.5
  3. 3.Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive — · ★ 4.5

Chains here: Divi Resorts · RIU Hotels & Resorts · Barceló

Full Aruba guide

Best of Puerto Vallarta

  1. 1.Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive & Spa — · ★ 4.5
  2. 2.Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort — · ★ 4.5
  3. 3.The Westin Playa Vallarta, an All-Inclusive Resort — Puerto Vallarta, Mexico · ★ 4.5

Chains here: Fiesta Americana · Hilton · Westin

Full Puerto Vallarta guide

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